Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I nod. “I get that. She’s always had an independence about her, but this is the first time she’s actually being able to act upon it.”
“Yeah. Let me go get her and we can go look at the new garden.”
“Okay.”
Bothaki picks up Fate, and he and I end up meeting Selina and Zarah halfway. Just as Zarah hugs me, someone calls on Bothaki to help with some stuff that’s somehow made its way into the river. My money’s on the kids making that happen.
“Be right back,” Bothaki says as he hands Fate to her grandmother.
“We’ll be in the garden,” Selina tells him.
“How’s the new house?” I ask Zarah as we begin walking again.
“Oh, it’s just adorable. I’d told Bo about a few things that I’d always wanted, should I have my own house someday. He made sure that my house has each thing. A window seat in my bedroom, a little breakfast nook just big enough for me, even some hooks to hang plants inside.”
“Bo remembers everything.” Selina chuckles.
“That must be a family trait,” I add. “I can tell Halun I like one little thing, and when I next come into our bedroom, there will be fifteen of them on the bed.”
“You girls make sure you never begin to take those things for granted,” Zarah reminds us.
I don’t take a thing about Halun for granted. Every morning I wake up to him, I smile at having him beside me. Each night, as my eyes drift closed, I’m content that I’ve gotten another day with him.
The moment we get inside the garden, Fate starts wiggling to be let down. Zarah lets her go and we pick a spot in the grass to sit. Fate runs to a patch of purple flowers and plucks one from the grass. She runs over to me and extends the flower, but when I try to take it, she snatches her hand back.
“Oh, it’s not for me?” I ask.
She gives me a cheeky grin and drops to her knees. Then, she places the flower against my stomach. I might just think it was her being a cute kid if it weren’t for the way she very pointedly looks at me as she presses the flower a little more intently to my stomach. My mind immediately dismisses the idea that comes to my mind. I can’t be pregnant. It’s only been …
I can’t even remember my last period. But even if I am, how would Fate …
She’s a Mina. A young one, yes, but a Mina all the same.
“Took me a while to realize, too,” Selina says, making my eyes snap to her. “And it should have been pretty obvious from the way I was puking for days.”
“But … I …” I’m speechless with equal parts disbelief, confusion, and amazement.
“You’re pregnant is what you are.” Zarah lightly chuckles.
When I look back down at Fate, she’s smiling up at me, in obvious agreement with her mother and grandmother.
“Looks like we’ll be the ones watching your baby for a weekend soon,” Selina teases.
“Goodness, darling,” Zarah chides Selina. “Let her maybe tell the baby’s father first before you start planning to babysit.”
Tell Halun … that we’re having a baby. That he and I made a child.
I know the perfect way to do just that.
*
When I walk into the throne room, Halun’s eyes are closed as he cranes his neck from side to side. I can hear the way it cracks all the way from the door. I told the Hallan at the doors not to announce me entering the room, and he was all too happy to give me a smile and leave his post. I’d certainly waited long enough to have Halun all to myself. He wasn’t able to come see the Hallans and humans moving into their homes because this was the day he’d set aside to hear out any grievances humans or Hallans had. He’s been in this throne room since long before Fate and I awoke, and remained here all day. After I’d left the garden and stopped by a few peoples’ homes when they invited me inside, I’d spoken with the Hallans I needed to set up my surprise for Halun. Then, I’d sat outside the throne room.
The Hallan there had offered to pause the presiding for me to go in, but I preferred to wait until Halun’s time upon the throne was at its end to see him. When I didn’t have to think about anyone else needing his time or attention. No one but me.
I walk on the tips of my toes towards him, and not until I’m halfway to him does his head drop forward. He says my name before his eyes even open, though. A hello, Luna so sweet, in his voice so deep, that the words feel like they tremble through me.